What Food To Try in Merida and Food Prices
How much does lunch and dinner cost
Examples of food prices, cafes, street food and other dining options in Merida for 2024.
National currency: Bolivar Soberano, symbol — Bs (international currency code VEF).
General Cafe Price Guide
Average prices in Merida cafes and restaurants
$8.8
Quick Lunch for One
Starting from $5.84
$52.6
Dinner for Two
to celebrate your trip
Starting from $35.07
$6.4
Combo Meal
Starting from $5.84
What to Try in Merida
Must-try Dishes
Huevos Motuleños - Breakfast Huevos - Fried eggs served atop tortillas with black beans, salsa, and cheese, often garnished with banana slices. Locals enjoy it for breakfast at family-run eateries, savoring the unique combination of flavors.Elote - Street Corn - Grilled corn on the cob slathered in lime, mayonnaise, cheese, and chili powder, creating a burst of savory and spicy flavors. Sold by street vendors, it’s a classic snack enjoyed while wandering local markets.
Poc Chuc - Grilled Pork Dish - Marinated grilled pork, typically served with pickled onions and warm tortillas, showcasing smoky and tangy flavors. Commonly eaten for lunch, it’s a social dish enjoyed in many traditional taquerías around Merida.
Sopa de Lima - Lime Soup - A refreshing chicken broth infused with lime juice and served with tortilla strips and herbs, known for its zesty and aromatic taste. Best enjoyed as a light dinner, it’s especially popular in local households during gatherings.
Queso Relleno - Stuffed Cheese - A hollowed-out ball of Edam cheese filled with picadillo (seasoned ground meat), bathed in a tomato-based sauce. Often savored on special occasions, it embodies the rich culinary heritage of the Yucatán.
Cochinita Pibil - Slow-Roasted Pork - Tender pork marinated in achiote paste and citrus, wrapped in banana leaves and slow-cooked to perfection. This dish is a Yucatán specialty, typically served at family gatherings and celebrations.
Chiles en Nogada - Stuffed Peppers - Poblano peppers filled with picadillo and topped with a creamy walnut sauce, embodying a surprising mix of sweet and savory. This seasonal dish is traditionally served around Mexican Independence Day in September, highlighting the local flavor profile.
Desserts & Drinks
Agua de Chaya - Chaya Water (herbal drink) - A refreshing drink made from the leaves of the chaya plant, often blended with lime juice and sweetened lightly. Locals sip this chilled delight during hot afternoons for its cooling properties and health benefits.Espresso - Café de Olla (sweetened coffee) - A strong coffee brewed with cinnamon and piloncillo (unrefined cane sugar), served hot in clay pots. You’ll find this aromatic beverage at breakfast, particularly on chilly mornings, as it evokes nostalgia and warmth.
Mezcal - Mezcal (distilled spirit) - A smoky spirit made from agave, served neat with slices of orange and a sprinkle of chili powder. You'll often see Meridanos enjoying mezcal during celebrations or a casual evening gathering. Just be careful, as the strong flavors can sneak up on you.
Pan de Elote - Corn Cake (sweet corn treat) - A moist cake made with fresh corn, sugar, and sometimes a hint of cinnamon, often enjoyed warm. It’s a staple at family gatherings and market stalls, making it a comforting treat that embodies local traditions.
Nieve - Nieve (shaved ice dessert) - Shaved ice drizzled with vibrant syrups, usually containing flavors like tamarind or strawberry, with a texture that's both crunchy and refreshing. Perfect for cooling down after exploring the city, you’ll find it especially popular during the hot summer months.
By the way, don’t forget to enjoy these delights while chatting with locals at a mercado, as their recommendations will lead you to even more hidden treasures.
Food and Groceries in Merida
Vegetables, Fruits and Bread
| Bread | $2.37 |
| Bananas | $1.18 |
| Oranges | $1.61 |
| Potatoes | $1.35 |
| Apples | $2.9 |
Beverages
| Water 1.5L | $0.93 |
| 0.5L Local Beer | $1.52 |
| Imported Beer | $2.74 |
| Wine Rating >4.0 | $9.21 |
| Milk 1L | $1.6 |
Various Groceries
| Meat (Beef or Pork) | $16.25 |
| Chicken | $6.29 |
| Cigarettes | $4.09 |
| Rice | $1.64 |
| Local Cheese | $10.02 |
Overview of Cuisine and Specialties
The merciless heat of Merida in the afternoon isn’t just a temperature; it’s a signal that locals are wrapping up their midday meals. By 3 PM, many restaurants have cleared out, their lunch specials fading into the background, and you’ll find street vendors busy restocking their stands. For many here, lunch is a feast while dinner is light, often taking place between 8 and 10 PM, which can be a surprise for visitors accustomed to earlier mealtimes.
Speaking of prices, you can find quite a range depending on your location. In the more upscale districts like Paseo de Montejo, a decent meal with drinks can set you back around 500-700 pesos. But head over to the bustling markets or less touristy areas, and you might score a full plate of cochinita pibil for just 80-120 pesos. It's all about location—dining near the Centro or in Merida’s vibrant street markets offers incredible value.
Don’t overlook payment customs, either. Cash is king in many places, especially small vendors. Credit cards are slowly gaining acceptance, but you may find yourself either in a long discussion or just discovering they don’t accept them at all (funny enough, they’ll tell you that after you've ordered!). Also, tipping is customary here, typically around 10-15%, but locals often round up for good service.
You’ll often see families gathered at outdoor tables during the evening—it's a common sight that reflects the local habit of sharing meals and conversation until late into the night. One typical dining custom that I find charming is the practice of "hacer sobremesa"—lingering at the table to chat even after the meal is done. It’s quite a social activity in this city.
On the flip side, a common mistake tourists make is arriving too early for dinner. You might find restaurants empty until 8 or later; if you show up at 7, you'll likely be the only patron waiting. For reservations, especially at popular places, it’s a good idea to call ahead during peak tourist seasons to ensure you have a spot, as newer places tend to fill up quickly.
As we move into the cooler months, food trends are shifting, and more outdoor dining setups will pop up. With the pleasant evenings, locals embrace fresh seafood and lighter meals, and you'll see more families dining al fresco, further enhancing Merida's already vibrant food scene.
Speaking of prices, you can find quite a range depending on your location. In the more upscale districts like Paseo de Montejo, a decent meal with drinks can set you back around 500-700 pesos. But head over to the bustling markets or less touristy areas, and you might score a full plate of cochinita pibil for just 80-120 pesos. It's all about location—dining near the Centro or in Merida’s vibrant street markets offers incredible value.
Don’t overlook payment customs, either. Cash is king in many places, especially small vendors. Credit cards are slowly gaining acceptance, but you may find yourself either in a long discussion or just discovering they don’t accept them at all (funny enough, they’ll tell you that after you've ordered!). Also, tipping is customary here, typically around 10-15%, but locals often round up for good service.
You’ll often see families gathered at outdoor tables during the evening—it's a common sight that reflects the local habit of sharing meals and conversation until late into the night. One typical dining custom that I find charming is the practice of "hacer sobremesa"—lingering at the table to chat even after the meal is done. It’s quite a social activity in this city.
On the flip side, a common mistake tourists make is arriving too early for dinner. You might find restaurants empty until 8 or later; if you show up at 7, you'll likely be the only patron waiting. For reservations, especially at popular places, it’s a good idea to call ahead during peak tourist seasons to ensure you have a spot, as newer places tend to fill up quickly.
As we move into the cooler months, food trends are shifting, and more outdoor dining setups will pop up. With the pleasant evenings, locals embrace fresh seafood and lighter meals, and you'll see more families dining al fresco, further enhancing Merida's already vibrant food scene.